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New York Now Has Over 400 Cases of Coronavirus: Live Updates New York Now Has Over 400 Cases of Coronavirus: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
As of Friday afternoon, New York State had 421 confirmed coronavirus cases, with the number of cases in Westchester County and New York City nearly equal, Gov Andrew M. Cuomo said.As of Friday afternoon, New York State had 421 confirmed coronavirus cases, with the number of cases in Westchester County and New York City nearly equal, Gov Andrew M. Cuomo said.
There were 158 cases of the virus in Westchester County, home to one of the largest clusters of the virus in the country, and 154 in New York City, officials said. The number of cases in the city had tripled since Wednesday.There were 158 cases of the virus in Westchester County, home to one of the largest clusters of the virus in the country, and 154 in New York City, officials said. The number of cases in the city had tripled since Wednesday.
Mr. Cuomo urged against panic, saying, as he has before, that jumps in the number of cases were more a reflection of the state’s ability to test people than of the severity of the outbreak.Mr. Cuomo urged against panic, saying, as he has before, that jumps in the number of cases were more a reflection of the state’s ability to test people than of the severity of the outbreak.
“My guess is there are thousands and thousands of cases walking around the state of New York,” Mr. Cuomo said, underscoring that the official count, even as it steadily rises, is not representative of total spread of the virus in the state.“My guess is there are thousands and thousands of cases walking around the state of New York,” Mr. Cuomo said, underscoring that the official count, even as it steadily rises, is not representative of total spread of the virus in the state.
Statewide, 50 people found to have the virus were hospitalized, Mr. Cuomo said. Thirteen of theme were in intensive care units. The state has 3,200 I.C.U. beds available and does not have the capacity to create more, Mr. Cuomo said. Statewide, 50 people found to have the virus were hospitalized, Mr. Cuomo said. Thirteen of them were in intensive care units. The state has 3,200 I.C.U. beds available and does not have the capacity to create more, Mr. Cuomo said.
Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey said on Friday that the state had 50 coronavirus cases, with 21 new ones confirmed. Fifteen of the state’s total were in Bergen County, across the Hudson River from New York City. A staff member at Princeton University also tested positive, the university said.Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey said on Friday that the state had 50 coronavirus cases, with 21 new ones confirmed. Fifteen of the state’s total were in Bergen County, across the Hudson River from New York City. A staff member at Princeton University also tested positive, the university said.
The new totals in both states were announced as the region’s residents prepared for a drastic shift in their daily lives over the weekend. Limits on public gatherings take effect in New York at 5 p.m. Friday.The new totals in both states were announced as the region’s residents prepared for a drastic shift in their daily lives over the weekend. Limits on public gatherings take effect in New York at 5 p.m. Friday.
For New Yorkers who are laid off as a result of the coronavirus, Mr. Cuomo said the state would waive the seven-day waiting period for unemployment insurance. He also said he would direct utilities not to cut off electricity, gas or water service to people who were unable to pay their bills because of the broader impact of the virus.For New Yorkers who are laid off as a result of the coronavirus, Mr. Cuomo said the state would waive the seven-day waiting period for unemployment insurance. He also said he would direct utilities not to cut off electricity, gas or water service to people who were unable to pay their bills because of the broader impact of the virus.
A trade group representing at least 29 developers and property managers in New York City who together control more than 150,000 rental units, pledged not to execute any eviction warrants for the next 90 days in response to the spread of Coronavirus.A trade group representing at least 29 developers and property managers in New York City who together control more than 150,000 rental units, pledged not to execute any eviction warrants for the next 90 days in response to the spread of Coronavirus.
“With all the stress, health risk and economic suffering going on now, no one should have to worry about losing their place to live during this crisis,” the group, the Real Estate Board of New York, said in a statement.“With all the stress, health risk and economic suffering going on now, no one should have to worry about losing their place to live during this crisis,” the group, the Real Estate Board of New York, said in a statement.
Exceptions will be made for warrants related to criminal or negligent behavior that jeopardize the health and safety of other residents.Exceptions will be made for warrants related to criminal or negligent behavior that jeopardize the health and safety of other residents.
On Thursday, Mr. Cuomo placed an indefinite ban on most gatherings of more than 500 people and commanded smaller spaces, like restaurants and bars, to slash their occupancy by half.On Thursday, Mr. Cuomo placed an indefinite ban on most gatherings of more than 500 people and commanded smaller spaces, like restaurants and bars, to slash their occupancy by half.
Major cultural institutions continued to announce closures on Friday. The New York Public Library said it would shut its doors starting Saturday through at least March 31.Major cultural institutions continued to announce closures on Friday. The New York Public Library said it would shut its doors starting Saturday through at least March 31.
Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency on Thursday. In the wake of that declaration, a leading candidate in the race for Queens Borough President said the scheduled special election should be postponed in order to protect people’s health.Mayor Bill de Blasio declared a state of emergency on Thursday. In the wake of that declaration, a leading candidate in the race for Queens Borough President said the scheduled special election should be postponed in order to protect people’s health.
Councilman Donovan Richards of southeast Queens said in a statement Friday morning that the voting process, which is set to begin Saturday and run through March 24, should be postponed because numerous polling sites were located in nursing homes and schools.Councilman Donovan Richards of southeast Queens said in a statement Friday morning that the voting process, which is set to begin Saturday and run through March 24, should be postponed because numerous polling sites were located in nursing homes and schools.
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A spokesman for Mr. Cuomo, who has authority to modify election rules, did not immediately comment. Mr. de Blasio said on Thursday that the election would proceed as scheduled.A spokesman for Mr. Cuomo, who has authority to modify election rules, did not immediately comment. Mr. de Blasio said on Thursday that the election would proceed as scheduled.
Also on Friday, the leader of the correction officers’ union urged Mr. de Blasio to suspend visits to the city’s jails. Although there have not been any confirmed coronavirus cases in the jails among inmates or employees, the union’s president, Elias Husamudeen, said that a single case “would create nothing but pandemonium.”Also on Friday, the leader of the correction officers’ union urged Mr. de Blasio to suspend visits to the city’s jails. Although there have not been any confirmed coronavirus cases in the jails among inmates or employees, the union’s president, Elias Husamudeen, said that a single case “would create nothing but pandemonium.”
On Friday, Nassau County on western Long Island declared a state of emergency. The county has 51 confirmed cases of coronavirus.On Friday, Nassau County on western Long Island declared a state of emergency. The county has 51 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Mr. Cuomo resisted calls to close public schools across New York during a news conference on Friday, saying it was not clear that mass closings would make a major difference as the virus spreads. Attendance in New York City public schools plummeted to 68 percent on Friday from 85 percent the day before. By comparison, average daily attendance is 92 percent.
The city school system is so large, however, that even the sharply lower rate meant that well over 680,000 children were in school, roughly double the total enrollment of Chicago’s public schools.
Some of New York City’s schools encouraged parents to keep even mildly sick children at home, saying that absences would be excused. Mr. de Blasio faced mounting pressure to close the system on Friday, but he continued to say that schools would remain open as long as possible.
At a news conference on Friday, Mr. Cuomo resisted calls to close public schools across the state, saying it was not clear that mass closings would make a major difference as the virus spreads.
He called the decision “very difficult” and he said that he would defer at least for now to local officials to make decisions about school closings.He called the decision “very difficult” and he said that he would defer at least for now to local officials to make decisions about school closings.
But the governor also cautioned against allowing political pressure to drive such moves, saying of districts that have closed schools so far: “I don’t know if that is always a judgment on the facts or a response to anxiety in a local community.”But the governor also cautioned against allowing political pressure to drive such moves, saying of districts that have closed schools so far: “I don’t know if that is always a judgment on the facts or a response to anxiety in a local community.”
Mr. Cuomo also said he was concerned about how staffing capacity at state and city public hospitals could be affected by closures. “If the kids are home the parents are home,” he said. “If the parents are home who is going to be working my hospitals?” Mr. Cuomo also said he was concerned about how staffing capacity at state and city public hospitals could be affected by school closings. “If the kids are home, the parents are home,” he said. “If the parents are home who is going to be working my hospitals?”
His comments followed calls from prominent figures to close New York’s schools, including from Corey Johnson, New York’s City Council speaker.His comments followed calls from prominent figures to close New York’s schools, including from Corey Johnson, New York’s City Council speaker.
“Teaching and learning cannot take place under these circumstances for the safety and well being of the teachers and students,” Mr. Johnson posted on Twitter. “Teaching and learning cannot take place under these circumstances for the safety and well being of the teachers and students,” Mr. Johnson posted on Twitter. He was joined in the afternoon by Michael Mulgrew, the president of the United Federation of Teachers.
He was joined in the afternoon by Michael Mulgrew, the president of the United Federation of Teachers. On Friday afternoon, the leader of 1199SEIU, a major union, backed the mayor’s decision to keep schools open, citing concerns about health care workers and other unionized employees who cannot take time off if their children have to stay home from school.
“We recommend that New York City follow the example of affected jurisdictions around the region, the nation and even the world in closing our public schools,” Mr. Mulgrew said in a statement.
Even as school districts have shut down to slow the spread of coronavirus, Mr. de Blasio and other officials have called widespread school closings a last resort, pointing out that hundreds of thousands of poor students rely on schools for meals and medical care in addition to education.
In New Jersey, Gov. Philip D. Murphy said that he anticipated a statewide closing of schools was in the future.In New Jersey, Gov. Philip D. Murphy said that he anticipated a statewide closing of schools was in the future.
“It is a when, and not an if,” Mr. Murphy said on Friday. The state was actively working with school districts to plan for extended closings, he said.“It is a when, and not an if,” Mr. Murphy said on Friday. The state was actively working with school districts to plan for extended closings, he said.
As the outbreak has widened, Mr. Cuomo and other officials have pushed to increase the state’s capacity to test for the coronavirus, urging the federal government to ease restrictions on where and how tests can be conducted.As the outbreak has widened, Mr. Cuomo and other officials have pushed to increase the state’s capacity to test for the coronavirus, urging the federal government to ease restrictions on where and how tests can be conducted.
On Friday, the federal government said that it would allow New York State’s public health department to authorize local labs to perform coronavirus tests.On Friday, the federal government said that it would allow New York State’s public health department to authorize local labs to perform coronavirus tests.
By next week, New York could be conducting 6,000 tests a day, Mr. Cuomo said, adding that the state had conducted nearly 3,000 tests since the outbreak began.By next week, New York could be conducting 6,000 tests a day, Mr. Cuomo said, adding that the state had conducted nearly 3,000 tests since the outbreak began.
As part of its efforts to gauge the spread of the virus, the state opened a “drive through” testing facility in New Rochelle, a city north of New York City that has been at the center of the epidemic in the state.As part of its efforts to gauge the spread of the virus, the state opened a “drive through” testing facility in New Rochelle, a city north of New York City that has been at the center of the epidemic in the state.
People in the area who believe they may be infected with the virus can make an appointment with the center, at Glen Island Park. They can drive to the facility, where they will wait in one of six lanes for medical staff to come to them and test for the virus.People in the area who believe they may be infected with the virus can make an appointment with the center, at Glen Island Park. They can drive to the facility, where they will wait in one of six lanes for medical staff to come to them and test for the virus.
In addition, Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health network with 17 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, won authorization from federal and state authorities for its coronavirus test. The authorization will enable Hackensack to get results on patients in hours, not several days.In addition, Hackensack Meridian Health, New Jersey’s largest and most comprehensive health network with 17 hospitals and more than 500 patient care locations, won authorization from federal and state authorities for its coronavirus test. The authorization will enable Hackensack to get results on patients in hours, not several days.
A day after New York officials declared a state of emergency, shoppers flooded stores and emptied shelves as they sought to stockpile groceries and household items to prepare for the unknown.A day after New York officials declared a state of emergency, shoppers flooded stores and emptied shelves as they sought to stockpile groceries and household items to prepare for the unknown.
Inside a Target store at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, customers snatched up hand soap, lotion, detergent, vitamins and paper products. Cold and flu medicines were completely sold out.Inside a Target store at Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, customers snatched up hand soap, lotion, detergent, vitamins and paper products. Cold and flu medicines were completely sold out.
Soon after the 9 a.m. opening at a Trader Joe’s in Hoboken, N.J., a line of nervous customers stretched along the block in the rain, waiting to pick through the mostly bare shelves inside. There was no chicken available, no garbanzo beans, coffee or chips. The store has been were unstaffed.Soon after the 9 a.m. opening at a Trader Joe’s in Hoboken, N.J., a line of nervous customers stretched along the block in the rain, waiting to pick through the mostly bare shelves inside. There was no chicken available, no garbanzo beans, coffee or chips. The store has been were unstaffed.
Once reserved for hurricanes and snowstorms, the frantic pursuit of groceries and household goods has been pushed to a more intense level amid the spread of the new coronavirus.Once reserved for hurricanes and snowstorms, the frantic pursuit of groceries and household goods has been pushed to a more intense level amid the spread of the new coronavirus.
The New York Police Department said it was investigating at least three incidents that occurred in Manhattan this week as potential anti-Asian bias crimes connected to the spread of the coronavirus.The New York Police Department said it was investigating at least three incidents that occurred in Manhattan this week as potential anti-Asian bias crimes connected to the spread of the coronavirus.
On Tuesday morning, a 23-year-old woman of Asian descent was pushed and slapped by another woman in Manhattan, the police said. The suspect, a woman in her 20s, made anti-Asian comments.On Tuesday morning, a 23-year-old woman of Asian descent was pushed and slapped by another woman in Manhattan, the police said. The suspect, a woman in her 20s, made anti-Asian comments.
Later that day, on the Upper East Side, a young man approached a 59-year-old man of Asian descent from behind, kicked him to the ground and yelled anti-Asian statements, officials said.Later that day, on the Upper East Side, a young man approached a 59-year-old man of Asian descent from behind, kicked him to the ground and yelled anti-Asian statements, officials said.
And late Thursday, the police said, a 47-year-old Asian man walking to a bus stop in Forest Hills, Queens, was approached by another man who shoved him, made anti-Asian comments and asked why he was not wearing a mask.And late Thursday, the police said, a 47-year-old Asian man walking to a bus stop in Forest Hills, Queens, was approached by another man who shoved him, made anti-Asian comments and asked why he was not wearing a mask.
Catholic elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens will be closed next week, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn said on Friday, a day after the Archdiocese of New York, which covers the rest of New York City, several suburban counties, made a similar announcement. Most Catholic elementary schools across the New York region will be closed next week.
All Catholic elementary and high schools on Long Island will also be closed next week. The dioceses covering Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island announced the closings on Friday, the day after similar announcements by the Archdiocese of New York, which covers the rest of the city and some suburban counties; the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn.; and the Archdiocese of Newark, which covers much of northern New Jersey.
All Catholic high schools on Long Island will also be closed next week. Some other Catholic high schools are closing on a school-by-school basis.
The Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn also said that most of their parishes will continue to celebrate Mass, although parishioners are under no religious obligation to attend Sunday services.The Archdiocese of New York and the Diocese of Brooklyn also said that most of their parishes will continue to celebrate Mass, although parishioners are under no religious obligation to attend Sunday services.
The decisions were a departure from moves by other large archdioceses on the East Coast. But the Archdiocese of New York, one of the nation’s most influential in the country, said Catholics should exercise “their prudential judgment” in deciding whether to attend. The decisions were a departure from moves by other large archdioceses on the East Coast. But the Archdiocese of New York, one of the nation’s most influential, said Catholics should exercise “their prudential judgment” in deciding whether to attend.
On Thursday, the archdiocese of Washington, D.C., canceled Mass until further notice and the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., said Mass could be canceled this weekend.On Thursday, the archdiocese of Washington, D.C., canceled Mass until further notice and the Archdiocese of Newark, N.J., said Mass could be canceled this weekend.
The chief administrative judge of New York State announced on Friday that no new jury trials would be held in around 350 state courthouses starting on Monday.The chief administrative judge of New York State announced on Friday that no new jury trials would be held in around 350 state courthouses starting on Monday.
In an official memorandum, the judge, Lawrence K. Marks, also said that no new grand juries would be empaneled starting Monday except under “exceptional circumstances,” a move that will significantly reduce the number of new criminal cases moving through the court system.In an official memorandum, the judge, Lawrence K. Marks, also said that no new grand juries would be empaneled starting Monday except under “exceptional circumstances,” a move that will significantly reduce the number of new criminal cases moving through the court system.
Court officials in New Jersey made a similar move.Court officials in New Jersey made a similar move.
Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Christina Goldbaum, Nicole Hong, Rebecca Liebson, Jeffery C. Mays, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Sharon Otterman, Eliza Shapiro, Katie Thomas, Tracey Tully, Ali Watkins and Benjamin Weiser.Reporting was contributed by Jonah Engel Bromwich, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Christina Goldbaum, Nicole Hong, Rebecca Liebson, Jeffery C. Mays, Jesse McKinley, Andy Newman, Sharon Otterman, Eliza Shapiro, Katie Thomas, Tracey Tully, Ali Watkins and Benjamin Weiser.